Week 5 NFL Surprise: Broncos Upset Eagles while Bills Succumb to Patriots
The final pair of unbeaten teams in the NFL saw their perfect records shattered during the fifth week as the Philadelphia Eagles along with Buffalo Bills suffered surprising home defeats.
Denver's football team transformed from dark horses to front-page news thanks to an impressive comeback victory against the current Super Bowl champions Philadelphia, before hopping on a flight for this Sunday's London contest.
The New England Patriots then traveled to Buffalo and ended the Bills' perfect record with a statement win of their own in their initial national television appearance in a full year.
Baltimore's team experienced a third consecutive defeat - their defensive woes could be terminal for their play-off aspirations - while the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, and Detroit Lions celebrated blowout wins on another eventful Sunday.
Broncos Defeat Champions
Not only was it defeating the Super Bowl champions, but the manner of their comeback from 14 points down that made Denver's 21-17 victory in Philadelphia such a signature achievement.
Philadelphia had won 10 games in a row, 12 in a row at home and 20 out of 21 total before Denver's signal-caller Bo Nix orchestrated two scoring drives in five fourth-quarter minutes and a late three-pointer.
Philadelphia are currently 4-1 but there is significant concern about their offensive unit, which ranks as the poorest performing in the NFL. Wideout DaVonta Smith stated they are not "on the same page" with quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Denver's defence, which tackled Hurts six times, had a lot to do with it, and, together with an established starting QB in Nix and elite coach in Sean Payton, they have all the ingredients to mount a serious challenge.
Denver face New York's Jets at Tottenham Stadium on Sunday.
Patriots on National TV Shock Buffalo
If Denver's win was somewhat anticipated, few predicted New England traveling to Buffalo and defeating Josh Allen's Bills, but they did so with huge character.
A first primetime game for the rookie quarterback produced a breakout performance as he directed a decisive field goal drive in the final moments to win 23-20.
Maye was resilient and made accurate passes at crucial moments, many to ex-Buffalo wideout Stefon Diggs, who had an outstanding performance for their coach's side.
The head coach was expected to turn things around in New England, but a win like this came earlier than most expected.
The Patriots defence contained Buffalo's offensive efforts during their surprising away win.
Baltimore Postseason Dreams Dashed?
This campaign is becoming a nightmare for the Ravens, who were missing a host of defensive stars as they were hammered 44-10 by Houston's team.
It matched their largest home defeat, and falling to 1-4 for the season means among the preseason Super Bowl contenders have just a small chance of making the play-offs.
Baltimore are currently 4-11 when missing star QB Lamar Jackson, who was hurt, but it is an exceptionally poor defense that is the primary concern - for a franchise that have been synonymous with stout defense historically.
Houston strolled to victory as Baltimore became the first team in modern NFL history to allow at least 37 points in four of their first five contests. Their campaign is already over.
Detroit, Tampa and Indianapolis Reach 4-1
The Lions' running back duo Gibbs and Montgomery registered a touchdown in one contest for the fourteenth occasion - a shared NFL record - as Detroit put away Cincinnati 37-24.
The win made it four victories consecutively for the league's top scorers the Lions, but not one against teams with a winning record.
A more unexpected 4-1 side are the Indianapolis Colts. With Jonathan Taylor running in three touchdowns in their decisive rout of the Las Vegas Raiders and quarterback Daniel Jones appearing as a new man, they will be a difficult opponent for any team.
Tampa Bay entered the four-win group with a mesmeric 38-35 win in Seattle in which the sides traded nine touchdowns in 10 impressive possessions before Seattle cracked first with a final-minute interception.
The kicker kicked the game-winner with the final play of the contest for the second time this year. Each of Tampa Bay's victories have been secured in the final moments.
Saints and Titans Get Help for Initial Victories
The way New Orleans and Tennessee Titans started the season, they required assistance to secure their first wins, and they got plenty thanks to some farcical mistakes from New York and Arizona.
Following a good start from New York rookie Jaxson Dart, the Giants committed five giveaways - including one decisively returned for a touchdown - while additionally permitting Rashid Shaheed to score on a long catch and run as New Orleans prevailed 26-14.
Arizona were even worse as they squandered a substantial advantage primarily due to two massive blunders.
Initially, Emari Demercado unexplainably dropped the football just before reaching the end zone for a 72-yard score.
More disastrous followed when Arizona intercepted Cam Ward close to their own goal line, then lost the ball across the goal line for Tyler Lockett to recover as Tennessee ended a 10-game losing streak with a 22-21 win.
Tyler Lockett registered one of the most farcical touchdowns witnessed this year.
That left New York's Jets as the only winless team remaining in the NFL after their punishing 37-22 defeat by the Cowboys.
The quarterback became the initial athlete in NFL history to surpass 4K through the air and 1,000 yards rushing in his first 20 professional contests as he returned from injury to steer the Washington Commanders to a notable 27-10 victory at the Los Angeles Chargers.
The running back was the star man for the Carolina Panthers with over 200 yards on the ground in their thrilling 27-24 victory over Miami.
NFL Week Five Scores and Highlights
Minnesota Vikings 21-17 Cleveland Browns
Houston Texans 44-10 Baltimore Ravens
Miami Dolphins 24-27 Carolina Panthers
Las Vegas Raiders 6-40 Indianapolis Colts
New York Giants 14-26 New Orleans Saints
Dallas Cowboys 37-22 New York Jets
Denver Broncos 21-17 Philadelphia Eagles
Tennessee Titans 22-21 Arizona Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-35 Seattle Seahawks
Detroit Lions 37-24 Cincinnati Bengals
Washington Commanders 27-10 Los Angeles Chargers
New England Patriots 23-20 Buffalo Bills
San Francisco 49ers 26-23 Los Angeles Rams (OT)
